The Conservative Manifesto - delivering on so many of the policies that I've campaigned for
The Prime Minister has launched the Conservative Party's manifesto, and I'm absolutely delighted to see so many of the policies that I've campaigned for over the last four and a half years included in it.
People often ask what a single MP can do, but throughout my time in Parliament I've shown that by working hard to raise the profile of an issue, demonstrating clear evidence, and bringing forward fresh ideas, one MP can absolutely bring about change.
There are so many strong policies in the manifesto, including around tax cuts, increasing defence spending, and continuing to invest in our towns and villages and our public services. But I want to pick out some of the policies in there that I've been working on in my time as an MP.
1. An annual legal cap on migration
"Introduce a legal cap on migration to guarantee that numbers will fall every year, so public services are protected while bringing in the skills our businesses and NHS needs." - Page 4
I know that immigration is the number one concern for so many people in this election. I've always said that current levels are too high, and over the past few years I've worked with colleagues to propose serious measures to bring about a significant reduction in numbers. This has included raising the salary threshold to qualify for a visa, and cutting the number of people eligible to bring dependents with them while they study.
This new legal cap will ensure proper democratic accountability on legal migration, bringing down numbers every year to levels that are sustainable for our public services and our economy.
2. Leave the ECHR if it stands in the way of the Rwanda Plan
"If we are forced to choose between our security and the jurisdiction of a foreign court, including the ECtHR, we will always choose our security." - Page 36
I've always campaigned and voted for the toughest possible laws to crack down on illegal migration and the dangerous cross-Channel crossings. The Rwanda Plan is the deterrent we need, so we cannot risk it being blocked or delayed by a foreign court.
My position has always been that we must be prepared to leave the ECHR if it prevents us from being able to properly control our borders, and that's exactly what the Prime Minister has committed to in the manifesto.
3. Boost apprenticeships by cutting back on low quality degrees
"Fund 100,000 high-quality apprenticeships for young people, paid for by curbing the number of poor-quality university degrees that leave young people worse off." - Page 4
Every young person deserves the best chance to succeed, no matter what their talents are. That's why I've consistently opposed the ridiculous idea that university is the only path to success - an idea that has lead to so many young people missing out the opportunities of high quality vocational and technical education.
In a policy plan I launched last year, I proposed diverting funding from poor quality degrees that don't boost the salaries of their graduates, to instead support a massive expansion of technical education and apprenticeships. That will ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
4. Effective ban on smartphones in schools
"We will put our guidance on banning mobile phones in the school day on a statutory footing which will require all schools to operate a ban. We will provide funding for schools to help them ban mobile phones where they need it." - Page 19
There is so much evidence that frequent smartphone use is damaging to kids' mental health and educational attainment. That's why I've spent the last year calling for a proper, effective ban on smartphones in schools so that children can focus on learning.
I'm delighted that the manifesto includes funding for schools to provide lockers or pouches during the day - something that I called for in the Westminster Hall debate I organised.
5. Give parents the legal right to view RSHE materials
"New legislation which will make clear, beyond all doubt, that parents have a right to see what their child is being taught in school and schools must share all materials, especially on sensitive matters like relationships and sex education." - Page 27
Since I raised my serious concerns about the age-inappropriate nature of some sex education materials and providers in Parliament, I've been campaigning for changes to the law to increase transparency and protect children from harmful and inappropriate content.
My campaign has already seen success, with new rules announced earlier this year that will ensure children are not taught sensitive and adult content before a suitable age.
This new proposed law will mirror the RSE (Transparency) Private Member's Bill that I introduced last year.
6. Increase the number of families eligible for Child Benefit
"It isn’t fair that single earner households can start losing their Child Benefit when a household with two working parents and a much higher total income can keep it in full. We will end this unfairness by moving to a household rather than individual basis for Child Benefit." - Page 18
I've been campaigning for years against the unfair way that Child Benefit rules punish families where one parent earns more than the other, or one parent doesn't work at all.
Moving to a household-based system that assesses families' eligibility based on their combined earnings and not those of the top earner will end this unfairness and mean many more families are eligible for this vital financial support.
7. Protect women's single-sex spaces
"The next Conservative Government will introduce primary legislation to clarify that the protected characteristic of sex in the Equality Act means biological sex." - Page 59
One of the most rewarding campaigns during my time as an MP has been standing up for the rights of women and girls to the safety and dignity of single-sex spaces. I have been unafraid to call out those who deny the reality and importance of biological sex in schools, sports, healthcare and the law.
I've helped to ensure new guidance on many of these issues, often in the face of strong opposition from other parties and the media.
The Conservatives are the only party who will stand up to this toxic ideology and defend the rights of women and girls to single-sex spaces.
What can one MP achieve - I'd say quite a lot
